SoharAwadhi
Congratulation and blessing sung by women of the household and the neighbourhood, traditionally for the birth of a son — a fact the songs themselves make plain.
कब गाया जाता है: The days following a birth. Still in live domestic use across rural Awadh, and among the first forms recorded commercially.
KajriAwadhi
Separation — a woman waiting out the rains for a husband who has gone away to work.
कब गाया जाता है: Savan, the monsoon month. Sung on swings hung in orchards; shares repertoire with the Bhojpuri and Mirzapur kajri traditions.
Banna and banniAwadhi
Praise of the bridegroom and of the bride, sung by their own households in alternation.
कब गाया जाता है: Weddings.
GaariAwadhi
Ritual abuse songs sung by the bride's women at the groom's party — obscene by design and protected by custom.
कब गाया जाता है: Weddings, at the feast.
Marsiya and nauhaUrdu
The martyrdom of Husain at Karbala, recited in a strict elegiac metre. Mir Anis's marsiyas are studied as literature and still performed from memory.
कब गाया जाता है: Muharram.
AlhaAwadhi and Bundeli
The battle-ballad of Alha and Udal, sung in a driving cyclical metre for hours. It belongs to Bundelkhand and is fully at home in southern Awadh.
कब गाया जाता है: The monsoon, at village gatherings.
BirhaAwadhi
Separation and cattle-herding life, sung solo in a high open voice by Ahir singers.
कब गाया जाता है: Grazing season and night gatherings.